Coys Auction - Automoto D‘Epoca
Padova Fiera
Padova, Italy

Italy

Saturday 25th October 2008

Admission by catalogue only - admits two.

During the Fifties, when Mercedes-Benz was the dominant force in top level motor sport, the undisputed flagship of the firm’s production car range was the stunning 300 SL sports car. Highly desirable as it was, it was also financially out of the reach of most enthusiasts. Keen to capitalise on the 300 SL’s numerous competition successes, and find a foothold in the increasingly lucrative sports car market, Mercedes-Benz introduced its smaller stablemate, the equally beautifully engineered 190 SL.

Launched at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the attractive 190 SL roadster looked very similar to the 300SL, but thanks to more modest underpinnings it cost a great deal less. Based on the 180 saloon of 1953 - Mercedes-Benz’s first car to use a unitary construction body/chassis - the 190 SL sp